My Only Shortcoming Was Not Advancing Narrow Factional Interests: Hovsepyan Responds to Alen Simonian

My only shortcoming was not advancing narrow factional interests, which is why I could not initially be considered an important acting member of parliament. This statement was made by MP Sophia Hovsepyan on her Facebook page, in response to a remark by National Assembly Vice President Alen Simonian, who stated that Hovsepyan cannot take pride in her active parliamentary work, neither in the past nor present.

She particularly noted, "Today Mr. Simonian referred to me as a quiet, inactive, and unimpressive MP who has no reason to be proud of my parliamentary activities. He also mentioned that I might take pride in my public work, but not in parliamentary work. Mr. Simonian, rest assured, the laws that I have proposed and initiated concern extremely significant beneficiaries and have been implemented from the date of their adoption. I have had the occasion to receive special gratitude from one of the parents of the fallen. Not to mention the disproportionately large work I have done in education, which neither the ministry nor the National Assembly can deny. The number of my written requests exceeds, I am sure, more than 50% of the total of all National Assembly deputies, which you can verify with the secretary's office. My regional visits have no comparable competition, and no MP can claim or prove that they have visited as many regions of the Republic and Artsakh, dealing with all issues as I have. By the way, 99% of these visits have been made using my own resources—my salary.

My areas of activity are not limited solely to education, as citizens can attest. Yes, my only shortcoming was not advancing narrow factional interests, and therefore I could not be initially considered an important acting MP. I have opposed and will continue to oppose all anti-national, anti-Armenian programs. During the war and after, I can look, without shame, into the eyes of the parents of both the fallen and the captive, and the eyes of the wounded soldier. If you can, and your COURAGE is sufficient, you do the same.

My demand is that you refrain from unnecessarily invoking my name, as regardless of having left the faction, I have never referenced any individual by name and will not do so. Monte once said, 'Do not drink to my health, continue my work.' Now I am telling you the same, quoting Monte: Peace to you. I am glad to be Armenian…

Recall that today, in an interview with NEWS.am, National Assembly Vice President Alen Simonian voiced his assessment that former members of the 'My Step' faction, Sophia Hovsepyan, Gor Gevorgyan, and Vardan Atabekyan, cannot take pride in their active parliamentary work, neither in the past nor present. 'Sophia Hovsepyan might take pride as a public figure for her work, but in other respects—no,' said the Vice President of the National Assembly.